Gulf Energy chairman Francis Njogu/Photo.Courtesy
Kenyan oil exploration and production firm Gulf Energy E&P BV has reaffirmed its commitment to invest nearly Sh780 billion in the development of the Turkana oil project, as it targets first oil by December 1, 2026.
Appearing before a Joint Parliamentary Committee on Energy, the company’s Chairman, Francis Njogu, described the venture as the most significant private-sector-led upstream petroleum investment in Kenya’s history.
The session brought together Members of the National Assembly and the Senate as part of the public participation process ahead of the Field Development Plan (FDP) ratification.
Njogu told the MPs that the company is set to inject nearly Sh780 billion into the project, underscoring the scale of capital required to unlock commercial crude production in Turkana County.
He noted that both the Field Development Plan and the Production Sharing Agreements place strong emphasis on local content, community participation and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on ensuring mutual benefits.
Njogu said the firm’s commitments are reinforced through social investments and strict adherence to a ring-fenced Local Content Strategy aimed at delivering long-term socio-economic gains for Turkana County and the country at large.
“At Gulf Energy, we are approaching this FDP as Kenyans with a view to creating as many jobs and business opportunities for Kenyans, starting with our Turkana host community, as are committed to positioning Kenya as an oil-producing country. We are very ready, and we have set 1st December, 2026, as a target to produce oil, and we hope to expeditiously secure the FDP ratification,” Njogu said.
